Born in Mobile, Alabama, Samuels attended Shaw High School in Mobile. Samuels was a basketball player in high school, but was lured to the football field after seeing most of his childhood friends join the Shaw team.[2]
Professional career
Tampa Bay Storm
Samuels made his AFL debut in 1994 with the Tampa Bay Storm, racking up 247 receptions through the 2000 season for over 3,120 yards in his first tenure with the Storm.
New Jersey Gladiators
In 2001, Samuels left the Storm and played the season with the New Jersey Gladiators, catching 65 passes (a career high at the time) for 742 yards, just short of his 844-yard career high receiving season he recorded the year before with Tampa Bay.
Return to the Storm
After a single season in New Jersey, Samuels returned to Tampa,[3] where he finished his playing career. From 2003-2007, Samuels notched 1,000+ yards receiving in 4 of 5 seasons, including back-to-back-to-back 1,100 yard+ seasons in 2005, 2006, and 2007. Was named MVP and Ironman of ArenaBowl XVII.
In 2007, after 5 losses to begin the season, Samuels was again named to the AFL's All-Ironman Team after leading the Storm to a #3 seed in the playoffs. 100+ catches, 1,000+ yards, and 100+ touchdowns also helped Samuels earn the honor.
On June 15, 2008, Samuels became the first receiver in AFL history to record 1,000 career receptions. [1]
Ewart was fired in early August 2013, and on September 5, 2013, Samuels was promoted to head coach of the Storm.[6] Samuels and the Storm mutually agreed to part ways in August 2016.[7]
In 2022 Lawrence Samuels was hired as the tight end coach at Tuskegee University